HardenTools

Hardentools is a simple and effective tool that disables a number of 'features' exposed by Microsoft Windows 10 and 11, as well as some widely used applications, to reduce the attack surface. The tool is intended for individuals who want an extra level of security, but may not be suitable for corporate environments. Hardentools disables features such as complex calculations with Microsoft Office Excel and the use of the Command-line terminal, but these are the only considerable downsides to having a safer Windows environment. The tool is easy to use, with a simple interface that allows users to click a 'Harden' button to make the changes to their Windows configuration. Users can also select expert settings to choose specific harden measures, and can restore the original settings if needed. Hardentools is not an antivirus and does not protect against malware, but rather reduces the attack surface by disabling risky features. The tool is developed by Claudio Guarnieri, Mariano Graziano, and Florian Probst, and is available for download.